Pakistan women's team practice amid tight security

The agitators raising slogans "Pakistan players go back" marched towards the stadium, but they were soon taken into custody by the police.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Cuttack:

With no signs of fear in their eyes despite protests from several quarters, Pakistan's women cricketers took their first net practice on Monday amid tight security at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, one of the venues for the upcoming World Cup.

They practised for four hours even as a small group of agitators staged a demonstration outside the fortified venue.

"Barabati stadium and its arrangements are more like in Pakistan. We are happy with the facilities provided to us by the organisers," Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashhar told reporters after the session.

Coach Basit Ali echoed similar feelings and said his team will have an edge over others as it would be practising and playing in the same ground.

"We will play a positive game in the World Cup. Our players are confident," one of the coaches, referring to their opening match against Australia on February 1, said.

For security reasons, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) has housed them inside the stadium.

Pakistan's matches had been shifted from Mumbai in the wake of protests from several quarters following the beheading of Indian soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC).

Even as the players from the neighbouring country hit the ground in dusky colour track suits, about 1500 khaki-clad security personnel guarded them.

The entire stadium as well as the city has been turned into a fortress.

"We have sufficient force to ensure smooth conduct of the matches," Cuttack DCP Praveen Kumar told PTI, adding that the group of people was taken to custody for staging a demonstration outside the stadium.

The DCP, however, said that the protestors belonging to Utkal Bharat were released on personal release bond later.

The agitators raising slogans "Pakistan players go back" marched towards the stadium, but they were soon taken into custody by the police.

Similarly, the Bajrang Dal, which was at the forefront of protests and observed Cuttack bandh last week, has decided to hold a mass congregation of its activists in Cuttack on February 1, sources said.